Portland Timbers announce 2012 Timbers U-23 schedule

Kip Kesgard, community bloggerThe Timbers U-23 team announced their full 2012 schedule. Local fans will get a chance to see potential Timbers first team players up close, as the club will play various home matches at differing locales in the Portland area. It's a great way to see competitive soccer up close and personal.

The 2010 team completed an undefeated regular season, then a complete playoff run all the way to the 2010 PDL Championship match. The team finished without a loss by winning the 2010 PDL Championship in front of a boisterous crowd at PGE Park (the former name of JELD-WEN Field before the renovation). The team has also had three of its alumni sign contracts with the first team: midfielder Freddie Braun, goalkeeper Jake Gleeson and forward Brent Richards. A fourth alumni, defender Ryan Kawulok, hopes to join his former teammates after recently completing the Timbers training camp in Carson, California. The 2012 Timbers U-23 will also be representing the PDL in the 2012 U.S. Open Cup tournament as a qualifier, as they will be hosting a first round match on May 15 against an unspecified opponent.

The Northwest Division of the PDL has undergone some changes, but there are plenty of familiar foes from previous seasons. The Timbers will square off against the Victoria (B.C.) Highlanders, Kitsap Pumas, Vancouver Whitecaps Residency, Washington Crossfire, and North Sound Sea Wolves. Two of their opponents underwent name changes in the offseason: the Abbotsford Mariners changed their name to Frasier Valley Mariners FC while the Tacoma Tide joined the Seattle Sounders organization as an affiliated club and was rebranded as Seattle Sounders U23.

As with previous seasons, the Timbers U-23 will play some home matches at JELD-WEN Field, but they will also stage home matches at various locations around the Portland and Southwest Washington region. The Timbers U-23 will visit Sherwood, Milwaukie, Vancouver WA, Camas WA, and Hillsboro, while also playing two special daytime home matches at JELD-WEN Field as part of Providence Health Systems Health and Fitness Days programs for area school children. Complete ticket information will be announced later this year, although fans can purchase seats for most matches directly on game day. Here is a complete list of home and road dates, please check the Portland Timbers website for updates.